Introduction

Event management is a growing and dynamic profession that allows you to mastermind everything from a small business conference to a major music festival.

At Wittenborg all Bachelor of International Business Administration students complete a series of broad business modules to complement their chosen specialization. Those who follow the Event Management pathway are schooled in the academic study of event management and the practical development of management skills.

Although event studies is a relatively young academic subject, the IBA-programme at Wittenborg is informed by ongoing research to ensure that the content of the course reflects contemporary issues and debates in the events industry. This include questions such as how technology continues to impact the industry. Teaching is underpinned by our academic team’s expertise and first-hand experience of the sector.

Course Content

With a combination of theoretical and practical modules, the IBA in Event Management will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to professionally manage events in a variety of sectors.

The syllabus is informed by the idea that event managers have a range of creative and technical responsibilities that often shift with every project and the fact they are in charge of research, planning as well as overseeing execution, often in minute detail.

The IBA in Event Management will take either three or four years to complete, depending on your academic progress and drive. The compulsory work placement module offers you a great opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the field which will improve your employment prospects following graduation.

Core modules include:

Event Operations and Project Planning

Event Marketing and Communication

Market Research in International Events

Media Technology (Events Management)

Corporate Entrepreneurship

Final Project

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements - Bachelor Programmes

High School Diploma or final certificate, equivalent to the Netherlands VWO, HAVO or MBO level 4 diploma / UK AS & A Level or BTEC. Please contact the Admissions Office to receive High School diploma comparisons. Please note: Advanced Placement / Credit Transfer Possible.

Direct Entry to Final Year Bachelor Programme (Top-Up)

Students with successful study experience equivalent to 160 European Credits in a related business or economic field are able to enter directly into the Final Year Programme (80 credits - please see 'Top-Up Degree' descriptions). Wittenborg's Graduation and Examination Board will decide on entry based on credit transcripts and qualifications presented.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6 or TOEFL Equivalent. Click here for an overview of the equivalent scores.
TOEFL Code of Wittenborg is 4889.

The Industry

Event management is a multimillion euro industry and, in the case of large organizations, often forms part of a company’s marketing strategy. It is foreseen that the increased nature of global business will make the demand for events even higher. Though technology shrank the world, face-to-face meetings as a way of networking are still highly valued.

Events can be roughly categorized in the following way:

Leisure: This includes big sport events like the FIFA World Cup, festivals like the Glastonbury music festival in the UK or fashion shows.

Personal: Planning personal events like weddings and anniversaries in a highly organized way and not just ad hoc have become common place.

Organizational: This includes small business events like a breakfast meeting to huge conferences attended by thousands of delegates. Also falling under this category would be fundraisers, NGO and public sector events.

Cultural: This would include celebrations around heritage like France’s Bastille Festival, which is celebrated all over the world as well as traditional ceremonies.

To survive in the event industry you need good public relations skills to manage your clients and their needs, creativity to come up with novel ideas as well as patience and the ability to keep an eye on the smallest details without losing sight of your bigger goals. Lastly the industry thrives on the shoulders of personal networking and you must have the ability to recognize, utilize it and expand to your advantage.

Career Prospects

There are a number of opportunities for graduates looking to build a career in event management. In addition to a salary, some companies will even award their employees with commissions for a job well done.

Charity organizations – Working for charity organizations, who arrange plenty of funding and other events to promote their work, is considered a good learning ground for those wishing to enter the events industry.

Conference organizers – Conferences has become a lucrative part of the event management industry, not only for the private sector with its different service providers but also for the public sector as cities vie to host big, international conferences. In both sectors opportunities resides for young, eager graduates wishing to learn the tricks of the trade.

Marketing and Event Manager

Exhibition Coordinator

Facility and Venue Manager

Event Administrator

Conference manager

Banqueting Manager

Producer in an event organization

Wedding planner

Public relations manager

Do keep in mind, the event industry does not only consist of event managers and their assistants. There are also plenty or supporting personnel which on the surface look like their roles have nothing to do with the event industry yet they play a crucial role such as IT experts, product developers and financial managers.

To gain quick contact with our admissions team, why not pick up the phone and call our office number (+31) (0)88 667 266 or our mobile phone number +31 (0)628364624, and speak to Ms Florian Oosterberg, our Senior Admissions Officer or Mr Santosh Aryal, our Student Registrar. If you would like us to call you back, we will!